January 23, Oliphants Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa

In the van and off for a drive. The amazing part was saw some lions, just lazing under a tree and on the opposite side of the road was a herd of zebra. Then 2 lions got up and started stalking the zebra. They walked around the vans and cars parked on the road, but I swear they did not even see us, they were so focused on the zebra. What a sight to see them in full stalking mode......just beside the van. They did not get anything.

Evening safari baby hippo, sevat (looks like a cross between cat and mongoose). Amazing that the hippos will travel a long way out of the water to eat the grass. They are traveling further now as the grass is more difficult to find due to the drought! We also got a glance at a spotted dog but very shy.

January 22. Manyletti Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Amazing safari today. We saw the big 5! Buffalo, elephant, hippo, lion and leopard! We are in an open vehicle driving around the park. There are animals every where! The most common is the impala. Several birds which I can not name. There were also giraffe, water bucks (deer like), white rhino, wildebeest.....

Took a million pictures and that tells the whole story! It is amazing to be here and driving around with all these animals so close.


January 21, Manyletti Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park.

On the bus by 7.15 and on the road, heading east towards Kruger National Park. The highway was pretty good. First stop was a large gas station that has its own animal park. I only saw an emu but there were buffalo and a rhino.
The country side is rolling hills and very green. This is the high velt (grasslands). It is similar to southern Alberta or Saskatchewan in the spring.

Even saw a grass fire...most likely a managed fire burning off the sour grasses.
Now this is camping. In a tent, but is on wooden platform and there is an en suite bathroom with shower!
This is a private reserve, the land is owned but here there is no fence between the reserve and Kruger. The animals are free to run.